The tray shook in his hands. Linda gasped first. Then she laughed. Rita laughed too.
Sandra looked at him as if what she had done was nothing. When I speak, answer, she said.
Ben touched his cheek once. His jaw tightened, but he bowed his head. Sorry, my princess.
Sandra walked away. The others followed. Only Nenah, who had come down the corridor just in time to see the end of it, remained standing.
She looked at Ben’s face, then at the direction Sandra had gone. For a moment, she looked like she wanted to say something, but she did not.
She only said, “Take the tray inside before the juice spills.” Ben nodded and the moment passed.
The days settled into a hard routine. Ben cooked. The family ate. The daughters complained, and still he remained.
One morning, Linda entered the kitchen while he was making breakfast. She looked at the plate and frowned.
Why did you separate the eggs like this? Ben turned. My princess, the egg, she snapped.
Do I look like someone who eats it like this? Ben looked at the plate.
I can change it. Linda hissed. Of course, you will change it. Must I explain everything to you?
She walked out before he answered. Another afternoon, Rita took one sip of juice and nearly shouted the roof down.
Why is this not cold? Ben looked at the glass. It came from the fridge.
Well, it is not cold enough. I can bring another one. Use your brain next time, Rita snapped.
He brought another one. Then there was Sandra. She asked for noodles one evening and found fault in it before even tasting it.
You used only two eggs. Ben nodded. Yes, my princess. She stared at him in disbelief.
Do I look poor to you? Ben said nothing. Sandra dropped the fork. You people bring village habits everywhere.
And she sent the plate away. The worst came when Rita threw a bundle of clothes at him.
Wash these. Ben stared at the clothes. Then he looked up. All Rita folded her arms.
Can you not see? There were rappers, tops, underwear, and private clothes mixed together. Ben hesitated only a second too long.
Rita’s voice sharpened. Pick them up. Nina who was passing stopped. Her eyes moved from Rita to the clothes.
Then to Ben. She knew it was wrong. She knew it. But the house was built in such a way that some things happened simply because one person had power and another did not.
Nah stood there for a moment then said, >> “Rita, our mother is calling for you.”
>> Irritated. Now? >> Yes. >> Yes. Rita clicked her tongue and left. Ben bent and gathered the clothes quietly.
Nah remained. You don’t have to do everything they say at once, she said. Ben looked at her.
If I don’t, there will still be trouble. She had no answer to that because he was right.
In the middle of all this, Tony kept causing his own trouble. He was caught one afternoon near the back corridor with a small packet of cigarettes in his hand.
The guard who found him dragged him straight to the king. Tony shouted the whole way.
It is not my own. It is not my own. King Daniel sat up sharply when he saw the packet.
You are smoking. >> Tony, are you smoking? >> No, papa. >> Where did you get it from?
>> It’s not mine. So would put it there. >> Picked it. That is all.
I picked it. The king’s face darkened. At your age? Tony’s eyes filled. I did not smoke it.
One guard muttered. Boys like this start early. Tony turned to him. I said it is not my own.
Keep quiet. The king thundered. Tony fell silent at once, but tears had entered his eyes.
The king looked ready to punish him hard. It showed in his face. But the queen stepped in.
He is a child, she said. A stubborn child, the king replied. He is still a child.
He lives here and behaves like a street boy. Queen Beatatric’s voice softened, but it did not lose strength.
Because that is where he came from. He needs school, not only punishment. Tony wiped his face with the back of his hand.
The room went quiet. The queen looked at her husband. How long will he keep running around like this, carrying things, hearing things growing wild?
The king did not answer at once. Finally, he said, “Take him away from here.”
Tony’s heart jumped, but the queen quickly said, “Not out of the palace. I will speak on the matter again.”
The king waved a hand in irritation. “Just remove him from my sight.” Tony was led out.
He went trembling, but he was not beaten. That night, Nah found him sitting behind one of the backsteps.
“You nearly got yourself killed today,” she said. Tony sniffed. “They never believe me. Where did you get it from?
He looked away. I found it near the boy’s quarters. Nah sat beside him. Then next time, leave what does not belong to you.
Tony kicked at the ground. I was only looking. Nah’s voice softened. Mother is right.
You should be in school. Tony laughed bitterly. Who will pay? Nah had no answer.
Inside the palace, people talked about dignity, tradition, and shame. But a boy like Tony could still sit outside at night with no clear future at all.
For all the trouble around Ben, one thing could not be denied. He could cook.
He did not only cook well. He cooked in a way that made people remember the food after they stood up from the table.
The king noticed it first, then the queen. Then even the daughters who insulted him daily had to face the truth in their own mouths.
His soups were rich without being heavy. His rice never came out careless. His stews had balance.
His breakfast trays were neat. His juices tasted fresh. A house that had been eating with fear slowly began eating with appetite again.
One evening after dinner, the king wiped his hands and leaned back. “This boy cooks very well.”
No one answered. Queen Beatatrice nodded. “Yes.” Sandra’s face tightened at once. Linda looked down at her plate.
Rita drank water and said nothing. Nah glanced once at Ben, who was standing a little distance away with lowered eyes.
The king went on. Chief Felix was right. That praise annoyed the daughters more than they let show because they did not want the person they looked down on to earn honor in front of them.
It felt like an insult to their pride, but Ben only bowed. “Thank you, your majesty.”
The matter might have gone on like that for longer if the king had not finally heard how badly his daughters had been treating him.
It was Nina who said the least, but it was the queen who noticed the most.
A late reply here, a complaint there, a slap mentioned by one maid in fear, a bundle of private clothes given for washing.
Small things, ugly things, things royal daughters should not be doing. One afternoon after lunch, the king sent for Ben privately.
Ben came into the smaller sitting room and bowed. “You sent for me, your majesty.”
King Daniel studied him for a moment. The anger on his face was not the kind Ben had seen before.
This one was quieter. “I have heard some things,” the king said. Ben did not speak.
I heard my daughters have not been fair to you. Ben lowered his eyes. It is nothing, your majesty.
The king’s mouth tightened. Do not lie because you want peace. Ben remained silent. That silence told the truth better than words.
King Daniel let out a long breath. I brought you here to cook, not to be insulted like an animal.
>> You were brought here to cook, not to be insulted like an animal. >> Yes, your highness.
I’m here to work. >> You will work, but you will not be treated like dirt.
This palace has honor. >> He paused, then added, “What happened in this palace with Martha has already brought enough shame.
I will not have my house become a place where people are crushed for no reason.”
Ben nodded slowly. “Thank you, your majesty.” The king looked at him one more time.
